Book Haul: Barnes & Noble

It is a travesty to man-kind that my last book haul was in 2011. 2011!

I am quite ashamed of myself. But alas, things get in the way (new job, uni, etc.). That, and my favorite bookstore that was a mere 5 minute drive from my house went out of business (*cough*BORDERS*cough*).

Anyway, I am proud to announce that as of May 18, my book famine has ended! Check out the sneak peeks of the titles I hauled home, courtesy of my (somewhat) local Barnes & Noble.

Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Every girl wants what she can't have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle--and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she's engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago's most powerful families, Gloria's party days are over before they've even begun ... or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria's goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch--but Clara isn't as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she'll do anything to keep hidden...

Lorraine Dyer, Gloria's social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria's shadow. When Lorraine's envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone's going to be very sorry...

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran

The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty's royal family--with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl's deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh's aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.

Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family's history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes the union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Rameses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history. 

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Smart and ambitious, Marie Tussaud has learned the secrets of wax sculpting by working alongside her uncle in their celebrated was museum, the Salon de Cire. From her popular model of the American ambassador, Thomas Jefferson, to her tableu of the royal family at dinner, Marie's museum provides Parisians with the very latest news on fashion, gossip, and even politics. Though many people are starving and can no longer afford bread, Marie's business is booming. In salons and cafés across Paris, people like Maximilien Robespierre are lashing out against the monarchy. Soon, there's whispered talk of revolution.

Spanning five years, from the budding revolution to the Reign of Terror, Madame Tussaud brings us into the world of an incredible heroine whose talent for wax modeling saved her life and preserved the faces of a vanished kingdom.

The Revolution of Sabine by Beth Levine Ain

GENRE

Y.A. Historical Fiction (214 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

In this novel of social intrigue, Sabine Durand, daughter of aristocrats, thinks of nothing but donning exquisite ball gowns and being seen at all the right parties in Paris. That is, until she secretly rekindles a forbidden firnedship with Michel, who spirits her away to her first salon, where she meets the revolutionary Ben Franklin.

Fueled by ideas of change, Sabine is determined to make revolutionary changes of her own: to take control of her life as it spins toward an arranged marriage to a lecherous aristocrat. But how can she break free of her mother's tight grasp? Perhaps the secret lies in her portrait, recently painted by Fragonard, and her new understanding of love.

MY REVIEW

I must say, whenever it comes to novels of the Marie Antoinette/pre-french revolution era, I am both excited about it and sort of dread it. The pure opulence of that era is breathtaking at some times, but at others, it gets to be plain annoying. It's like, "Geez, you aristocrats wondered why the French people wanted to chop all of your heads off!"

Anyway, this novel is not short on the opulence. I understand the character of Sabine, our protagonist, is "trapped" in this world of stiff corsets and dinner parties, beautiful ballgowns and, well... Paris. I guess in this book I just didn't feel all that connected with her. It seemed to me like she's got a pretty sweet life.

One thing that I did enjoy in this book was the spirit of revolution. That certainly translated well to me, as a reader. Sabine finds herself in this new way of thinking, which she was helped along to by the magnificent Benjamin Franklin (another element I enjoyed). She is willing to support a change that she knows is right in her heart, and I admire her for that.

For the whole opulence factor, this book is very plainly written. I think it could have been written just a tad better. I really didn't get the presence of the history like I have in other historical fiction novels.

Another thing I enjoyed... while Sabine is posing for her infamous portrait, she reads the novel Candide by Voltaire to keep her occupied. I loved this tie-in! It wasn't until later, when I had actually read Candide that I could understand its importance in the novel. I loved the fact that Ms. Ain focused a good part of her book on this wonderful piece of literature.

All in all, this book wasn't really anything special to me. It's rather short, kinda predictable, and more suited I think to younger teens, just getting their first tastes of historical fiction.

MY RATING

3***

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardener

GENRE

Y.A. Historical Fiction (368 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

The year is 1794. With his beloved Sido safely in England and the Reign of Terror at its height, mysterious Yann returns to revolutionary France to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. But while the two are apart, Yann's Gypsy origins prejudice Sido's guardian against their marriage, thwarting their longed-for reunion. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, however, Yann must use all his strength and courage to outwit the evil Count Kalliovski, rescue Sido, and help save all of France.


MY REVIEW

Yann and his beloved Sido are back for part 2 of their worlwhind adventure through France's darkest hour in history: the Reign of Terror. Their Circus of Follies friends, from Tetu the dwarf to Citizen Aulard, help Yann and his good friend Didier rescue France's nobility before they are sent to Madame le Guillotine.

All is well until one particular shocking revelation: SPOILER Count Kalliovski isn't really dead. END SPOILER He sort of... well... sold his sould to the devil. And the evil Count is still on the hunt for the most precious thing in his world: the soul of Sidonie de Villeduval, escaped noble emigre and Yann Margoza's love.

First of all, I have to say that I absolutely LOVE this series because of its eccentricity. It's not your typical 18th century gilded cake, flowers, and silk story. The characters in this book make it oh so interesting! Not your typical cream of the crop.

I love the fact that Ms. Gardener used to be a costumer... you can REALLY tell throughout the story. Every character's costume is perfectly accurate, perfectly described, and is always helpful in giving me that realness to the time period. If this series of books were ever turned into a movie, Ms. Gardener better be doing the costumes!!

One thing that I also enjoy about this series is the historical accurateness. Sally Gardener brings every street corner, cafe, and catacomb to life. It's quite amazing at some times, actually.

Some ardent fans of our female protagonist Sido (like me) might be a little disappointed at this book. Sido really takes a backseat in this installment. It's all about the wonderful Yann Margoza, gypsy magician extraordinaire. I don't even think that Sido gets introduced in the story till halfway through the book.

Now onto the wonderful Yann. You've just gotta love this guy. He's so faithfully devoted to his Sido, and to being reunited with her again. He pulls of wickedly awesome disguises, tricks and magic, and he has a good heart to boot. The only problem is... HUGE SPOILER He's Count Kalliovski's SON!! END SPOILER Whoa! Even though the spirit of his mother, Anis, tries to convince Yann that he's the ghost child of her true lover, and nothing like the evil count, Yann struggles with this new fact for quite some time, and suffers because of it.

Another thing I love about this book is Ms. Gardener's writing. She comes up with the greatest figures of speech (similes) EVER! Kudos to you Ms. Gardener!

All in all, this book was a wonderful addition to the Red Necklace series. Although Sido definitley was not as involved in part 2 (sad face), it still brought the magic and adventure that I fell in love with in the first book. Pick it up (but make sure to read the first book first!!)


MY RATING

4.5****/*